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International students welcomed to New Zealand
James Hargest College’s new international students meet their homestay families at the airport (the stuffed lion toy (school mascot) has all the emergency contacts in its school bag!)

Whakatane High School performed a powhiri for its new German, Austrian and Swiss students.

International students at Mount Maunganui Primary School

International students at Mount Maunganui Primary School

International students at Mount Maunganui Primary School

International students at Mount Maunganui Primary School

International students at Mount Maunganui Primary School

International students at Mount Maunganui Primary School
Thai students explore New Zealand study options
Ben Burrowes, ENZ Regional Communications Manager, South East Asia, said the large turnout was encouraging to institutions looking for talented Thai students.
“Providers were impressed by the high quality of the potential students looking for higher education, high schools and English language studies. Some institutions even signed up applicants on the spot.”
At the fair, ENZ gave tables to partners OCSC (Office of Civil Service Commission), TIECA (Thai International Educational Consultants Association), Immigration New Zealand and the New Zealand Alumni Association, who were busy answering queries of parents and students throughout the day.
In the afternoon, a seminar function was held where Thai alumni and parents discussed the key motivations for studying in New Zealand and the way it has changed them as people. They talked about the discipline and multitasking needed to succeed in study abroad, advising prospective students on the difference between New Zealand and Thailand’s education systems and what prospective students need to be prepared for.
Ben said these discussions on the practical experience of study abroad were very helpful to prospective students – as were the virtual reality headsets.
“The virtual reality headsets proved hugely popular for visitors at the fair, offering them a glimpse into life with a host family, New Zealand’s innovative classrooms, our outdoor lifestyle and unique culture.”
A day before the fair, 21 New Zealand institutions and 73 agents attended an agent seminar. This included presentations on NCEA qualifications, GPA conversion and the new code of practice for pastoral care, followed by an afternoon of business meetings for institutions and agents to discuss working together.
International students learn how to crack job interviews
The ISA members have attended monthly meetings with the police throughout 2016, as part of an Ambassador programme designed to build awareness of crime prevention methods for students.
Jessica Phuang, Auckland City District NZ Police Asian Liaison Coordinator, said the mock job interviews were set up to show appreciation for the students’ involvement in the programme, as many of them will soon be graduating and searching for jobs.
“Some students were taken aback, especially with problem-solving questions which are not common practice in their own countries,” said Phuang.
The mock interviews were set up in the style of speed-dating, with Auckland Presbyterian Church generously lending its hall for the event.
Interviewers included school providers, church members, community volunteers, and police Inspectors.
Each ISA member was interviewed for eight minutes, followed by two minutes of feedback on their answers, their CV and body language – before moving on to the next interviewer.
Common feedback from interviewers was that students had a tendency to expose their weaknesses, a cultural practice to demonstrate modesty, Phuang said.
“The interviewers encouraged the students to share their strengths, and demonstrated how to do this without being seen as ‘blowing their own trumpet’.”
The ISA programme is an Auckland-based police initiative that raises issues connected with safety for international students. The initiative was also launched in Wellington in September.
Expense disclosure 1 July 2025 to 6 February 2026
Wellington International Student Excellence Awards 2016
Twelve international students were acknowledged at the inaugural Wellington International Student Excellence Awards, held at Parliament on Friday 14 October. The awards, presented by Deputy Prime Minister, Bill English, recognise the region’s best all-round international students.
Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (WREDA) Chief Executive, Chris Whelan, says international students are an important part of New Zealand’s education community, with the awards taking into account academic achievement as well as contributions made in sports, arts and the community.
“Last year, approximately 7,500 international students studied in Wellington. They not only make a valuable economic contribution, but make an important cultural impact on their school communities,” said Whelan.
“We’ve developed these awards to recognise the contribution made by individual students.”
The winners covered a range of ages, from a primary school pupil to PhD student, including:
To Quan Quach
As a member of young leadership groups including Vic Crew, Victoria University of Wellington Student Association, Kiwi Mate and AIESEC, To Quan Quach of Vietnam has made a significant contribution to internationalising Victoria University. To is also on the Business School’s Dean’s List for academic achievement.
Anamika Nampoothiry
Hailing from India, Anamika Nampoothiry has made a second home in Wellington, where she currently studies at WelTec, after previously studying at Queen Margaret College. Anamika was awarded proxime accessit in 2015, and a top IB scholar award. She is a dancer and singer, student librarian, and soon-to-be engineer.
Yang Xiao
Currently studying at Onslow College, Yang Xiao from China, has helped organise multiple fundraising and social events to encourage integration within school life and beyond. Yang plans to study at Victoria University before pursuing his dream of becoming a pilot for Air New Zealand.
Lothar Krumpen
Leaving Germany for Wellington’s Scots College, Lothar Krumpen soon made too many friends to leave his new home, and decided to continue his New Zealand study at Victoria University last year. As well as being a top law student and averaging A+’s in his commerce papers, Lothar has represented both Wellington and the New Zealand University hockey teams.
Educational publishing showcases New Zealand strengths
Over the last three years, ENZ has supported the offshore activities of educational publishers under the Educational Publishing Export Programme, managed by the Publishers Association of New Zealand (PANZ).
ENZ’s Business Development Manager, Adele Bryant, said New Zealand has a proud history of educational publishing, from Dame Marie Clay’s development of reading recovery to Dame Wendy Pye’s mission to teach the world to read.
“New Zealand educational publishing builds on the quality of New Zealand teachers, the progressive nature of our education system and our innovative and responsive publishing sector,” said Bryant.
“Our industry’s digital publishing capability is also capturing the attention of new markets in Asia.”
Earlier this month, a senior delegation from China’s Higher Education Press (HEP) visited New Zealand to meet four New Zealand publishers in Wellington. HEP is the largest publisher in China of university and college-level textbooks, and also publishes Chinese language learning resources. China’s publishing market is the second largest in the world.
The New Zealand publishers took the opportunity to showcase their capability: Lift Education’s multi-media CSI Literacy resources for 8-13 year olds, Cognition Education’s range of customised resources and New Zealand Council for Educational Research’s academic, testing and assessment services.
The President of PANZ, Melanie Laville-Moore, provided an overview of educational publishing in New Zealand while ENZ’s Adele Bryant set the scene with an introduction to the New Zealand educational system.
New Zealand publishers are making inroads into China led by companies like Wendy Pye Publishing. Wendy Pye’s Key Words, written by one of New Zealand’s favourite children’s writers, Joy Cowley, is now being used in Chinese schools to teach English.
ENZ promotes education in Thailand
The counsellors were broken into small groups and rotated between roundtable discussions with Education New Zealand, the US Embassy, British Council, and OCSC.
ENZ’s Marketing and Strategic Relations Manager – Thailand, Chortip Pramoolpol, said this intimate road show format was helpful in sharing key information with the market without overwhelming them.
“It was a great way for school counsellors and students to gain insights into New Zealand’s education system and learn the many benefits of studying there.
“It also means information about New Zealand will be distributed into schools and to students who otherwise wouldn’t have New Zealand on their study abroad radar.”
ENZ and RMUT representatives

The following day, ENZ met with the chairman and presidents of Rajamangala University of Technology (RMUT), a system of nine universities in Thailand. With RMUT’s link to industry and practical teaching styles, it is most similar to New Zealand ITPs.
ENZ’s South, Southeast Asia and Middle East Regional Director, John Laxon gave a crash course on the New Zealand ITP system, welcoming the possibility of future collaborations with RMUT in English language training, double-degree programmes and student exchanges.
To build on this knowledge, ENZ’s Thailand team have begun planning an education road show for all nine RMUT universities starting December.
Talking international education in Berlin
The get-together provided an opportunity to hear different views and perspectives on New Zealand, its education system and motivating factors for German students to study there.
It was also a chance for IEC Online to showcase its activities, particularly as education agents are a main recruitment channel for German students to New Zealand.
ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager Ute Haug said New Zealand is a very popular English language study destination for German students.
“In Germany, New Zealand is seen as offering high quality and globally-recognised qualifications in a supportive, welcoming and safe learning environment – with the bonus of great lifestyle opportunities.”
Haug added that New Zealand’s appeal goes beyond tuition, and that international students are drawn here because of support networks in place too.
“Even childcare options can be motivating factors for students as we’ve seen with Sina. She will be undertaking her study at Massey with her baby and partner in tow, so she’s happy to know that she will be supported in this regard.”
In the discussion with Dr Mary English, whose family has hosted international students over the years, Haug said it became clear that it is not only international students who benefit from the New Zealand experience, but also Kiwi kids who gain insights into other cultures and learn about other parts of the world.
Germany is the largest source country for European international students to New Zealand and New Zealand’s seventh largest education market worldwide – some 3,300 German students studied in New Zealand in 2015.
IEC Online is one of Germany’s largest education agents sending German tertiary students to New Zealand. IEC cooperates with all the eight New Zealand universities and with five Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs).
Earthquake communications - 1
ENZ Auckland and Christchurch are open for business today. Senior Wellington staff are working remotely as ENZ’s office building undergoes building safety inspection. All Wellington staff have been told the office is closed today.
The earthquake was not centred near areas of high population density, and initial reports suggest damage has been superficial rather than serious or widespread.
We have received no indications of injury to any international student.
New Zealand’s national senior secondary school NCEA examinations are currently underway. Some schools have cancelled today's examinations because of the requirement for building safety inspections. In these cases, an emergency derived grade process is available to reduce any disadvantage to students. See NZQA’s website for more information.
We will provide updates as soon as they are available.
International students awarded for ICT excellence
Ruslan Levenets, who originally studied law in Russia, came to study in New Zealand in preparation of a career change.
“I had some practical skills and interest in IT, but my main motivation for study was to have a strong theoretical background,” said Levenets.
Ruslan was awarded most outstanding student for the Graduate Diploma in Information Assurance and Security. The award was sponsored by ISACA, an international professional association for IT governance.
Mike Binkhorst, president of the Wellington chapter of ISACA, believes supporting top students is an important part of building the future of their industry.
“We're keen to encourage people into the profession to make a difference in the field. ISACA promotes frameworks and standards in IT to improve governance and security. Education and supporting the next generation is a big part of that,” said Binkhorst.
Alexander Sokolov with Alisdair McKenzie

Also achieving excellence in IT was Alexander Sokolov who was awarded most outstanding student for the Graduate Diploma in Information Technology. He received his award from Alisdair McKenzie, a member of WelTec’s IT Industry Partnership Committee.
“WelTec’s Industry Partnership Committee offers guest lectures, takes interns and reviews WelTec's IT programmes – all so that they deliver what the industry is needing,” said McKenzie.
“We work to ensure that the tertiary education sector is harmonised with business and industry requirements.”
Ian Hunter from WelTec’s School of Business & IT said the involvement of industry associations makes a significant difference to the way WelTec students are taught.
“Our students are working on real scenarios and real problems as part of their academic programme,” said Hunter.